Lydia T.
Legend
LegendBig Oaks Equestrian State Campground
A rustic state forest equestrian campground
A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8
Equestrian Camping near Alpena, MI
7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Horse-friendly camping options near Alpena, Michigan include McKinley Horse Trail Campground, suitable for both tent and RV camping. Located near Mio, this rustic campground offers equestrian trails surrounded by Huron-Manistee National Forest with access from April through mid-November. The campground accommodates horses with ample parking for trailers, though it lacks drinking water. Sites remain rustic with basic vault toilets and no hookups. The campground's trails provide extensive riding opportunities through more land than most visitors can explore in a single visit.
The Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground in Atlanta offers direct access to forest riding trails and operates seasonally from May through October. Sites 1-8 are designated for non-horse campers while the remaining areas specifically accommodate equestrians. The natural setting features numerous trees and level campsites with basic amenities including drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Trails from the campground connect to the broader state forest system with varied terrain suitable for different riding abilities. The campground design provides sufficient privacy between sites while maintaining proximity to riding paths. Access requires four-wheel drive vehicles during winter months when official camping season has ended.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Alpena (7)
1. Old Orchard Park Campground
"The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular."
"Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night. The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated.
Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. "
2. Pigeon River State Forest Campground
"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
3. Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground
"Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."
4. Oscoda County Park
"Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around."
5. McKinley Horse Trail Campground
"This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."
6. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground
7. South Branch Trail Camp Group Site
"Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 16 min from Bay City, MI
- 2 hrs 16 min from Traverse City, MI
- 2 hrs 26 min from Saginaw, MI
- 2 hrs 26 min from Midland, MI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Alpena, MI
25 Reviews of 7 Alpena Campgrounds
- VVaughn S.
TravelerShoepac Lake State Forest Campground
Been going here since I was a kid, still love it.
Entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.
Stephanie C.
RangerOscoda County Park
No plans to return to this campground
This campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.
- Juan A.
ScoutMcKinley Horse Trail Campground
Amazing off grid retreat!
This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.
Nicole V.
GuideShoepac Lake State Forest Campground
Big lake but no direct water sites
Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites. You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw.
- RRavenTraveler
Old Orchard Park Campground
Don’t allow car camping & no Verizon cell service
I stayed here a few times in September 2022. The weather was really rainy but the lake is pretty and Oscoda has a lot of hiking and places to hang up a hammock and relax. (The campsite is about 10 minutes from town.)
Labor Day weekend was crazy and my neighbors had a really difficult time staying in their designated site - one family next to me really liked to put their trash on a tree within my site. People just seemed a little unfriendly and territorial - it seemed like they didn’t know what to do with a younger solo woman camper. Unrelated, a guy was shouting a song about cocaine around 11pm, drinking with his buddies. Just kind of weird vibes even though there were a million kids. It didn’t really feel like homey, family vibes.
The second time I was there I was told I could not car camp. The lady who was working didn’t seem to care but my last night an older male worker waited at the entrance until I returned and loudly announced my site number and said I wasn’t allowed to car camp (I usually don’t get frustrated with older people when they yell because I assume they may be hard of hearing, but it seemed a little unsafe to announce where I would be sleeping.) I asked if hammock camping was ok and he became gruffer and told me his boss wanted to kick me off the campground - which seemed to imply a possible punishment if I kept asking questions. Ironically, I was asking these questions because I didn’t have a tent but was still trying to comply. I just felt uncomfortable after that and left, spending my last night somewhere else.
Showers are ok - they’re coin operated and cleaned every few days.
The scenery is pretty but it doesn’t work for me if I can’t car camp and if there’s no cell service to work. As mentioned, weird vibes as a solo female camper too. Adult activities - like a dance party or movies - take place after dark. I can’t imagine how being in a dark forest with strangers would feel safe, let alone fun, when there is alcohol and it seems likely there are other substances too. No really where my interests lie.
But if you have an RV you might have a different experience - or if you’re looking for a party during a holiday weekend. It might also be worth a try if you’re camping as a group.
- Becky K.Guide
Old Orchard Park Campground
On the AuSable River
Lots of things to do in this area! The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular.
Tracey R.ScoutOld Orchard Park Campground
Enjoyable Stay
Got lucky enough to snag a week-long stay on a waterfront site(401) the last week of July and thoroughly enjoyed our stay! We had very nice neighbors and had a great week of relaxing.
Pros:
Website booking process was very easy. Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night.
The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated.
Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront.
Trash pickup if you leave it by your site marker. Nice and quiet during the week.
Delicious hard ice cream served from the store.
Nice walks down"The Point". Beautiful views.
Cons:
Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords.
The large store is mostly empty. No souvenir style items.
Trash everywhere..mini booze bottles, wrappers, cigarette butts.
Bathrooms are clean, but very outdated and run down.
Showers run on tokens/quarters and do not have a temperature control.
Paul C.GuidePigeon River State Forest Campground
Quiet and secluded
Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under.
Guide to Alpena
Alpena, Michigan offers several equestrian camping options in addition to traditional tent and RV sites. The region features nearly 100,000 acres of state forest land within a 30-mile radius of Alpena, with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures average 20°F while summer months typically range from 65-80°F with moderate humidity levels.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Huron-Manistee National Forests contain over 330 miles of designated horse trails. The South Branch Trail Camp Group Site offers immediate access to forest paths. "Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring," reports camper Sean R.
Fishing access: Lakes and rivers throughout the region support multiple fish species including bass, pike and panfish. At Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground, "beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn't get too wild," notes Vaughn S.
Hiking at sinkhole trails: Located within walking distance of several campgrounds, these unique geological formations create interesting terrain for day hikes. "Sinkhole trails within walking distance," mentions a Shoepac Lake reviewer, while the Pigeon River area features "lots of awesome sink holes to swim in," according to Kate K.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pigeon River State Forest Campground provides secluded camping experiences with well-spaced sites. "Nice Very private location. Small in overall size for more peaceful, enjoyable quietness," writes reviewer Kat S. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere due to its small size and natural buffers.
River-adjacent camping: Many campers appreciate sleeping near moving water. "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site," shares Paul C. Another camper notes: "The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night."
Access to multi-use trail systems: Several horse camps connect directly to trail networks. Old Orchard Park Campground provides lake and river access with "beautiful wooded sights. Fishing, boat ramp, beach," according to reviewer C.P.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most horse campgrounds near Alpena operate from April/May through October/November. Winter access to areas like McKinley Horse Trail Campground requires four-wheel drive vehicles, as one camper notes: "Access is 4x4 only winter months."
Limited amenities: Many equestrian sites offer minimal facilities. "This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything... Highly recommend for anyone looking to camp without ANY amenities," reports Juan A. about McKinley Horse Trail Campground.
Cell service limitations: Several forest campgrounds have poor or nonexistent coverage. "Beware of the bugs! Also, there is no cell service," warns Halie C. Another Pigeon River camper advises: "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away. Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Oscoda County Park offers facilities for children including "a small playground for the kids" according to Gordon B. This provides entertainment options when not riding or hiking.
Water safety awareness: Rivers in the area can have strong currents. At Pigeon River, one camper cautions: "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Educational opportunities: The sinkhole paths and nature trails provide learning experiences about local geology and ecology. "The Shingle Mill Pathway (a roughly 10 mile loop trail) runs right through the campgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground accommodates various vehicle types with clear separation between horse and non-horse campers. "Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8," notes Lydia T.
Power considerations: Oscoda County Park offers varying electrical options. "At the moment they have 50 or 20 amp power, so you will need a 15 or 50 adapter to use 30 amp service. No water at camp sites, but they have a water fill station," explains Gordon B.
Parking configurations: Large equestrian rigs need adequate turning space. At Old Orchard Park, "Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront," but campers should note that "water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Alpena, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Alpena, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Alpena, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Alpena, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Alpena, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Alpena, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring